Student Assessment

Kindergarten
Within the first 30 days of school, kindergarten students take the FLKRS (Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screening). This assessment gives an indication of how ready a kindergartener is for school to help the teacher plan the kind of instruction your child needs.

Grade  2
In the spring, second graders take a national test like the Standford-10 that shows how they are doing in reading and math compared to other second graders across the nation. The average for being on grade level is the 50th percentile in reading and math.

Grades 3 through 10
In the Spring, all third through tenth graders take the FCAT SSS. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test covers the Sunshine State Standards that are taught all year as the regular curriculum. This is a state test that shows how well your child is mastering the Sunshine State Standards in Reading and Math for that grade. In each area, there are five levels (1,2,3,4,5). Students scoring in Level 1 and Level 2 receive additional help to get up to grade level. A score of Level 3 means your child is performing at grade level. Students scoring in Level 4 and Level 5 are performing above grade level.

Grade 3
The FCAT SSS Reading scores are used by the state in third grade to determine promotion to fourth grade. This is because studies show that students who are not reading at grade level by third grade will most likely struggle with school as it gets harder. This is the place to make sure they get the skills they need to move on. There are summer reading programs to help third graders who do not score on grade level.

Grade 10
The 10th grade version of the FCAT SSS in Communication and Math is especially important. Both the Communication and the Math portions of the 10th grade FCAT SSS must be passed in order to earn a standard high school diploma. Once students pass one part they do not have to retake that part. There are several more chances to pass the FCAT SSS if he/she does not pass it the first time it is taken in 10th grade. Some Exceptional Education (ESE) students have an additional option. Discuss this with your child's Guidance counselor.

Grades 4, 8, and 10
In February, fourth, eight, and tenth graders take a writing test called FCAT Writing (used to be called Florida Writes!). On a scale of zero to 6.0, grade level is considered to be a 3.5.

Grades 5, 8, and 11
Fifth, eighth, and eleventh graders also take the FCAT Science as part of the FCAT SSS in the spring.